🔎 UNIDENTIFIED What was this structure?

[HI-McDunnogh]

I've dug around this site for some time, turning up mostly mid to late 1800s items of all sorts (bottles, eating utensils, marbles, pieces of china, horse tack, etc.).

The stone as you see it is largely untouched since I've known of it. The foundation only appears to be roughly 15' extending lengthwise from the front/crumbling side of the stone pile and roughly 10' wide. My first inclination is that rocks were part of a fireplace of some sorts, but that's a wild guess.

Any help on identifying what this site might have been would be appreciated!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Family Maps of Hinds County, Mississippi, Deluxe Edition - Grab it through Amazon!

[traveller777]

I've dug around this site for some time, turning up mostly mid to late 1800s items of all sorts (bottles, eating utensils, marbles, pieces of china, horse tack, etc.).

The stone as you see it is largely untouched since I've known of it. The foundation only appears to be roughly 15' extending lengthwise from the front/crumbling side of the stone pile and roughly 10' wide. My first inclination is that rocks were part of a fireplace of some sorts, but that's a wild guess.

Any help on identifying what this site might have been would be appreciated!

Hey Hi. What are the dimensions on the "chimney"? Maybe 3'X4'?

 

[HI-McDunnogh]

Hey Hi. What are the dimensions on the "chimney"? Maybe 3'X4'?

Hello. A bit larger than that. Probably 5'H x 4'W .

 

[traveller777]

Hello. A bit larger than that. Probably 5'H x 4'W .

I will go with your first impression. Certainly, looks like a chimney to me, the chimney was 5'X4' but the actual firebox was somewhat smaller. Looks like many a remnant of homes/buildings in mountains around here. Likely had a loft too. Looks like a good place to dig. If there was a spring at one time around it or a creek you might work that area too. If you are a privy/outhouse prober might be a good place to look also. You probably know all that so sorry for stating the obvious.

 

[traveller777]

I will go with your first impression. Certainly, looks like a chimney to me, the chimney was 5'X4' but the actual firebox was somewhat smaller. Looks like many a remnant of homes/buildings in mountains around here. Likely had a loft too. Looks like a good place to dig. If there was a spring at one time around it or a creek you might work that area too. If you are a privy/outhouse prober might be a good place to look also. You probably know all that so sorry for stating the obvious.

Are there remnants of any other structures around the area?

 

[HI-McDunnogh]

Are there remnants of any other structures around the area?

Thank you! There is a creek that runs about 75 yards behind it. Detecting the area immediately around it is next to impossible b/c of the amount of nails scattered around. I have done some digging and sifting, but have a had limited success. Mostly broken glass, broken plateware, and of course more nails.

I haven't found any other structures, but have detected roughly 3 acres around it and have found relics in mostly all of it. I found this axe head a few days ago about 200 yards from it.

 

[traveller777]

Thank you! There is a creek that runs about 75 yards behind it. Detecting the area immediately around it is next to impossible b/c of the amount of nails scattered around. I have done some digging and sifting, but have a had limited success. Mostly broken glass, broken plateware, and of course more nails.

I haven't found any other structures, but have detected roughly 3 acres around it and have found relics in mostly all of it.

It sounds like a great site that will keep you busy for a while. Very curious why all the nails around the creek, which likely means another structure there. Maybe. It drove me crazy working an old site with tones of old cut nails but I ended up pulling some nice relics and coins out of there. I am not saying you will but some time those rough spots pay off. And sometimes just wastes your time. Good hunting no matter what.

 

[traveller777]

Nic

Thank you! There is a creek that runs about 75 yards behind it. Detecting the area immediately around it is next to impossible b/c of the amount of nails scattered around. I have done some digging and sifting, but have a had limited success. Mostly broken glass, broken plateware, and of course more nails.

I haven't found any other structures, but have detected roughly 3 acres around it and have found relics in mostly all of it. I found this axe head a few days ago about 200 yards from it.

nice old axe head. Looks very similar to one I pulled out of a redoubt a couple of years back.

 

[Gare]

Could it be possibly some type of outdoor kiln ?

 

[traveller777]

Could it be possibly some type of outdoor kiln ?

Possibly, but more likely a smoke house, or just small cabin. There are lots of cabin sites here not much bigger than 15 or 20 feet. Smokehouse makes sense too.

 

[ticndig]

I have a chimney like that one over here in cumberland Very close to your location. the nails you dig are what remains of the house. turn the disc up on your machine to get past the nails.

 

[CreakyDigger]

An aerial photo with the leaves down (if deciduous) or an old map of the area might turn up something.

 

[traveller777]

An aerial photo with the leaves down (if deciduous) or an old map of the area might turn up something.

good advise. They may have Lidar there now.

 

[HI-McDunnogh]

I have a chimney like that one over here in cumberland Very close to your location. the nails you dig are what remains of the house. turn the disc up on your machine to get past the nails.

Yes, I remember you're close. The discrimination still clips the nails causing all kinds of chatter.

 

[traveller777]

Yes, I remember you're close. The discrimination still clips the nails causing all kinds of chatter.

are the nails on the ground or very close to ground level or several inches deep?

 

[HI-McDunnogh]

are the nails on the ground or very close to ground level or several inches deep?

Most are 2-6" deep.

 

[traveller777]

Most are 2-6" deep.

OK. If they were at ground level or just beneath surface, I was going to show you a tick to get rid of them. 2" deep does not work.

 

[HI-McDunnogh]

OK. If they were at ground level or just beneath surface, I was going to show you a tick to get rid of them. 2" deep does not work.

Ah, gotcha. Thanks for the thought.

 

[Gare]

Hello. A bit larger than that. Probably 5'H x 4'W .

that would not be large enough for anyone to lay down and sleep

 

[ticndig]

that would not be large enough for anyone to lay down and sleep

fireplace and hearth dimensions I live about twenty miles from the O P and know where 5 such chimneys are within a mile of me so the construction style is very common for this area.